Gary L. Pierce

The endothelial glycocalyx’s role in modulating vascular endothelial dysfunction with aging and disease is becoming increasingly recognized. This study presents novel findings that acute heparin administration is not a feasible method to experimentally degrade the endothelial glycocalyx and measure concurrent changes in vascular endothelial function in healthy humans. Alternative approaches will be needed to translate findings from preclinical studies and test the effects of acute endothelial glycocalyx degradation on vascular endothelial function in humans.